Athletic apparel

ABSTRACT

In an exemplary athletic apparel system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securing portion and at least one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of the jersey.

PRIORITY

The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefitof, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/238,736, filed Sep.1, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety into this disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Various articles of clothing, such as sports jerseys or other athleticapparel, are available having athlete's names, corresponding numbers,team logos, and other indicia printed thereon. If a customer purchases afootball jersey relating to a particular player, for example, and theplayer retires or is traded, the customer may then desire to purchase asecond jersey of a different player or the same player on a differentteam, for example. Long standing sports fans, through their lifetimes,may purchase several athletic jerseys over time to show their supportfor a player and/or a team.

The problem with such a process is that it is not only expensive, butalso can cause clutter in a closet, for example. It would be desired tohave a solution that would allow a customer to customize sports jerseysor other athletic apparel over time, so that as players change, teamsupport changes, etc., the jerseys or apparel can be easilymodified/updated.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure of the present application provides various athleticapparel systems, providing a customer/user of such systems virtuallyunlimited flexibility with respect to athletic jersey player and/or teamaffiliations.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securingportion, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removablepatch configured to be removably coupled to the first securing portionof the jersey. In various embodiments, the jersey comprises a sportsjersey selected from the group consisting of a football jersey, abaseball jersey, a basketball jersey, a soccer jersey, a hockey jersey,and a rugby jersey. In another embodiment, the at least one removablepatch is sized and shaped consistent with an indicia selected from thegroup consisting of a single number, multiple numbers, a single letter,multiple letters, and a logo. In yet another embodiment, the at leastone removable patch comprises a magnet, and wherein the first securingportion of the jersey comprises a corresponding magnet to magneticallyengage the at least one removable patch. In an additional embodiment,the corresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey orcoupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet, andwherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises acorresponding metal plate to magnetically engage the at least oneremovable patch. In an additional embodiment, the jersey furthercomprises a pouch coupled thereto, said pouch sized and shaped toreceive the corresponding metal plate. In yet an additional embodiment,wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a metal plate, andwherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises acorresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removablepatch.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the first securing portion comprises a first fabric hook andloop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises asecond fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when the at least oneremovable patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so thatthe first fabric hook and loop fastener engages the second fabric hookand loop fastener, the at least one removable patch is removably coupledto the jersey. In another embodiment, the first securing portioncomprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least one removablepatch is sized and shaped to fit within the transparent pocket. In yetanother embodiment, the first securing portion comprises a first groove,and wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fitwithin said groove. In an additional embodiment, the first securingportion comprises a metal thread, and wherein the at least one removablepatch comprises a magnet. In various embodiments, the first securingportion comprises a panel, and wherein the panel has a configurationselected from the group consisting of one or more of a first fabric hookand loop fastener, a transparent pocket, a translucent pocket, a groove,a magnet, a metal plate, and a metal thread.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the at least one patch has a first indicia thereon. Invarious embodiments, the first indicia is selected from the groupconsisting of a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number,a sponsor name, and a sponsor logo. In another embodiment, the jerseyfurther comprises a second securing portion, and wherein the at leastone removable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indiciaand a second patch with a player number indicia. In yet anotherembodiment, the jersey further comprises a second securing portion,wherein the first securing portion is located at a first side of thejersey, and wherein the second securing portion is located at a secondside of the jersey. In an additional embodiment, the jersey furthercomprises a second securing portion, wherein the at least one removablepatch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and a secondpatch with a player number indicia, wherein the first securing portionand the second securing portion each comprise a first fabric hook andloop fastener, wherein the first patch and the second patch eachcomprise a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when thefirst patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so that thesecond fabric hook and loop fastener of the first patch engages thefirst fabric hook and loop fastener of the first securing portion andwhen the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch ispositioned upon the second securing portion so that the second fabrichook and loop fastener of the second patch engages the first fabric hookand loop fastener of the second securing portion, the first patch andthe second patch are removably coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the system comprises a sports jersey comprising a firstsecuring portion and a second securing portion, a first removable patchconfigured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of thejersey, the first removable patch having a number indicia thereon, and asecond removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the secondsecuring portion of the jersey, the second removable patch having a nameindicia thereon, wherein the first removable patch and the secondremovable patch each comprise patch magnets, wherein said patch magnetsare attracted to a metal plate or a jersey magnet positioned within oraffixed to the jersey, whereby engagement of the first removable patchand the second removable patch to the jersey at or near the metal plateor the jersey magnet causes the first removable patch and the secondremovable patch to be removably coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first panel and asecond panel, the first and second panels each comprising a firstsecuring portion, each of the first and second panels configured toallow a patch to be removably coupled thereto, and a first removablepatch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized andshaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patchsized and shaped to correspond to the second panel, the first removablepatch and the second removable patch each comprising a magnetcorresponding to a device positioned within or upon the jersey andcapable of magnetically attracting to the magnet, the device selectedfrom the group consisting of a metal plate and a jersey magnet.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising at least one panelcomprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configuredto allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and atleast one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configuredto allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the at leastone panel. In various embodiments, the at least one panel comprises onepanel, and wherein the at least one patch comprises a patch with a firstindicia. In another embodiment, the at least one panel comprises a firstpanel and a second panel, and wherein the at least one patch comprises afirst patch with a player name indicia and a second patch with a playernumber indicia. In yet another embodiment, the at least one panelcomprises a first panel and a second panel, wherein the first panel islocated at a first side of the jersey, and wherein the second panel islocated at a second side of the jersey. In an additional embodiment, theat least one panel comprises one panel and wherein the at least oneremovable patch comprises two removable patches. In yet an additionalembodiment, wherein only one of the two removable patches may beremovably coupled to the one panel.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the first securing portion of the at least one panelcomprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at leastone removable patch comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener,and wherein when the at least one removable patch is positioned aboutthe at least one panel so that the first fabric hook and loop fastenerengages the second fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least oneremovable patch is removably coupled to the at least one panel.

In another embodiment, the first securing portion of the at least onepanel comprises a transparent pocket, and wherein the at least oneremovable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said transparentpocket. In yet another embodiment, the first securing portion of the atleast one panel comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least oneremovable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove. In anadditional embodiment, the at least one patch is sized and shapedconsistent within any number of indicia, such as single numbers,multiple numbers, single letters, and/or multiple letters, includingwords. In various embodiments, the at least one patch comprises amagnet, and wherein the at least one patch may be removably coupled tothe jersey by way of a corresponding magnet. In another embodiment, thecorresponding magnet is either positioned within the jersey or coupledto the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first panel and asecond panel, the first and second panels each comprising a firstsecuring portion, the first and second panels configured to each allow apatch to be removably coupled thereto, and a first removable patch and asecond removable patch, the first removable patch sized and shaped tocorrespond with the first panel and the second removable patch sized andshaped to correspond to the second panel.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure, the system comprises a jersey comprising a first securingportion, the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patchto be removably coupled thereto, and at least one removable patch, theat least one removable patch configured to allow the at least one patchto be removably coupled to the jersey.

In at least one embodiment of a jersey of the present disclosure, thejersey comprises at least one panel comprising a first securing portion,the at least one panel configured to allow at least one patch to beremovably coupled thereto.

In at least one embodiment of a jersey of the present disclosure, thejersey comprises a first securing portion configured to allow at leastone patch to be removably coupled thereto.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel kit of the presentdisclosure, the kit comprises a jersey comprising at least one panelcomprising a first securing portion, the at least one panel configuredto allow at least one patch to be removably coupled thereto, and atleast one removable patch, the at least one removable patch configuredto allow the at least one patch to be removably coupled to the at leastone panel.

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel kit of the presentdisclosure, the kit comprises a jersey comprising a first securingportion configured to allow at least one patch to be removably coupledthereto, and at least one removable patch, the at least one removablepatch configured to allow the at least one patch to be removably coupledto the first securing portion.

In at least one embodiment of a removable patch of the presentdisclosure, the patch is configured to be removably coupled to at leastone jersey.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary athletic apparel system, according to thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show embodiments of an athletic apparel systemcomprising various securing portions, according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary athletic apparel system comprising a groovepositioned thereon, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary athletic apparel system with two patchesremovably affixed to the front of a jersey, according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a front of a jersey with threepanels positioned thereon according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a front of a jersey with threepatches removably affixed thereto, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an additional exemplary athletic apparel system accordingto the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show exemplary embodiments of a patch according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8C shows an exemplary embodiment of a corresponding magnetaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8D shows an exemplary embodiment of a patch comprising one or moremagnets coupled thereto, according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8E and 8F show exemplary embodiments of corresponding magnets,according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8G and 8H show exemplary embodiments of a patch according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8I shows an exemplary embodiment of a patch comprising one or moremetal plates coupled thereto, according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8J, 8K, and 8L show an exemplary embodiments of correspondingmetal plates according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8M shows an exemplary embodiment of a system of the presentdisclosure whereby pockets are affixed to the inside of a jersey toreceive corresponding magnets or corresponding metal plates;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel systemaccording to the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an exemplary embodiments of portions of a systemof the present disclosure using metal thread.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

An exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system of the presentdisclosure is shown FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the exemplary athleticapparel system 100 comprises a jersey 102 and at least one panel 104affixed thereto. Panel 104, in an exemplary embodiment, is sized andshaped to receive at least one patch 106 as shown in FIG. 1, whereby theat least one panel 104 configured to allow at least one patch 106 to beremovably coupled thereto. In addition, and as shown in FIG. 1, patch106 may comprise a first indicia 108. In the exemplary embodiment ofathletic apparel system 100 shown in FIG. 1, jersey 102 comprises twopanels 104 and two patches 106 for removable coupling thereto.

Additional embodiments of an exemplary athletic apparel system 100 ofthe present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG.2A, athletic apparel system 100 comprises jersey 102, panels 104, and afirst securing portion 200 at or near the site of panel 104. In theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the first securing portion 200comprises a first fabric hook and loop fastener 202 (such as Velcro®),and patch 106 comprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener 204corresponding to the first fabric hook and loop fastener 202 of jersey102. The second fabric hook and loop fastener 204, as shown in FIG. 2B,may be referenced to generally herein as a second securing portion 205.Joining the first fabric hook and loop fastener 202 to the second fabrichook and loop fastener 204 allows a user to removably affix patch 106 topanel 104 of jersey 102.

FIG. 2B shows an additional embodiment of athletic apparel system 100 ofthe present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, a first securing portion200 of panel 104 comprises a pocket 206. Pocket 206, and at least oneembodiment, comprises a transparent or translucent pocket 206. In suchan embodiment, patch 106 made be sized and shaped to fit within pocket206 so that patch 106 may be removably coupled to jersey 102 by way ofpocket 206 so that indicia 108 present upon patch 106 remains visible.

An additional embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 of thepresent disclosure is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, jersey 102comprises a first groove 300 as an exemplary first securing portion 200.In such an embodiment, patch 106 may be sized and shaped to fit withingroove 300 so that patch 106, and any indicia 108 imprinted thereon, maybe visible upon jersey 102. Various additional securing portions 200 arecontemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. For example,jersey 102 may comprise snaps, buttons, magnets, strings (for tying),and/or any number of other securing mechanisms known in the art. In atleast one embodiment of a system 100 of the present disclosure, system100 may comprise a pocket 206 and groove 300.

An exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 with patches106 affixed thereto is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, athleticapparel system 100 comprises jersey 102 and two patches 106 affixedthereto. In such an embodiment, indicia 108 upon patches 106 comprise aplayer name and a player number. Indicia 108 may include, but are notlimited to, various indicia 108 such as a team name, a team logo, aplayer name, a player number, a sponsor name, a sponsor logo, and/or anyother indicia 108 desired by a user of athletic apparel system 100, andmay be provided upon patches 106 in various orientations. In addition,jersey 102, as shown within the various figures of the disclosure of thepresent application, may comprise any number of jerseys 102, includingsports jerseys. Sports jerseys 102 may be selected from any number ofsports, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, rugby,or any other jersey 102 useful within the present disclosure.

Patches 106, and their corresponding panels 104, may be positioned atany location about jersey 102. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4,patches 106 may be affixed upon panels 104 on the back of jersey 102. Asshown in FIG. 6, for example, patches 106 may be removably coupled topanels 104 on the front of jersey 102 and/or the sleeves 500 of jersey102. For example, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, an exemplary athleticapparel system 100 of the present disclosure may comprise panels 104 andcorresponding patches 106 on the back of jersey 102, wherein a firstpatch 106 comprises a player name indicia 108, and wherein a secondpatch 106 comprises a player number indicia 108. The front of such anexemplary jersey 102 may comprise a panel 104 with a patch 106 removablyaffixed thereto, wherein patch 106 comprises a player number indicia108. As shown in FIG. 6, additional patches 106, with for example playernumber indicia 108, may be positioned on sleeves 500 of jersey 102.Removal of said patches 106 from the front of jersey 102 would result injersey 102 without patches 106 as shown in FIG. 5.

In an additional embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 of thepresent disclosure, jersey 102 may comprise one panel 104 and twopatches 106, wherein panel 104 is sized and shaped to receive bothpatches 106.

The disclosure of the present application, including the variousathletic apparel systems 100 referenced herein, may be viewed orreferred to as an “interchangeable jersey,” whereby any number ofpatches 106 may be positioned upon panels 104, or, in the alternative,positioned upon jersey 102 directly as shown in the exemplary athleticapparel system 100 shown in FIG. 7. In such an embodiment, for exampleand as described in further detail herein, various second securingportions 205 may be positioned directly to jersey 102 without the use ofa panel 104, such as a second fabric hook and loop fastener 204, pocket206, groove 300, and/or other mechanisms described herein.

Additional embodiments of patches 106 of the present disclosure areshown in FIGS. 8A-8D. As shown in FIG. 8A, patch 106 may be sized andshaped consistent with, for example, any number of indicia 108 asreferenced herein including, but not limited to, single numbers,multiple numbers, single letters, and/or multiple letters, includingwords.

FIG. 8A shows the front of an exemplary patch 106 of the presentapplication sized and shaped as a number. Such a patch 106 may comprisefabric, a magnet, a fabric covered magnet, a patch with a magnet affixedthereto, a metal plate, and/or any number of other securing mechanisms(generally referred to as a second securing portion 205) as referencedherein. FIG. 8B shows an exemplary embodiment of the back of a patch 106of the present disclosure, wherein patch 106 comprises a second securingportion 205 comprising a magnet 800 (also referred to herein as a “patchmagnet”). The exemplary patches 106 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B maycorrespond to a corresponding magnet 802 (also referred to herein as a“jersey magnet”) as shown in FIG. 8C, whereby a patch 106 may bepositioned on the outside of a jersey 102 and removably secured tojersey 102 by way of corresponding magnet 802 positioned on the insideof jersey 102 or coupled directly to jersey 102.

An additional embodiment of a patch 106 of the present disclosure isshown in FIG. 8D. As shown in FIG. 8D, patch 106 may comprise one ormore second securing portions 205 that are smaller than patch 106itself. Such a patch 106 and/or other patches 106 of the presentdisclosure comprising a magnet 800 may be removably secured to a jersey102, as referenced above, by way of a corresponding magnet 802, whichmay be sized and shaped to correspond to patch 106 (as shown in FIG. 8C)or sized and shaped differently than patch 106 (as shown in FIG. 8E).Corresponding magnet 802 may, in at least one embodiment, be at leastpartially covered by a cover 804 as shown in FIG. 8F, which maycomprise, for example, fabric. In at least one embodiment, correspondingmagnet 802 is coupled directly to jersey 102. In at least anotherembodiment, magnet 800 and/or corresponding magnet 802 compriseferromagnets and/or rare earth magnets.

FIG. 8G shows an additional embodiment of the front of an exemplarypatch 106 of the present application sized and shaped as a number, withFIG. 8H showing the back of said patch 106, wherein patch 106 comprisesa second securing portion 205 comprising a metal plate 806. Theexemplary patches 106 shown in FIGS. 8G and 8H may correspond to acorresponding magnet 802 as shown in FIG. 8C, whereby a patch 106 may bepositioned on the outside of a jersey 102 and removably secured tojersey 102 by way of corresponding magnet 802 positioned on the insideof jersey 102 or coupled directly to jersey 102.

An additional embodiment of a patch 106 of the present disclosure isshown in FIG. 8I. As shown in FIG. 8I, patch 106 may comprise one ormore second securing portions 205 that are smaller than patch 106itself. Such a patch 106 and/or other patches 106 of the presentdisclosure comprising a metal plate 806 may be removably secured to ajersey 102, as referenced above, by way of a corresponding magnet 802,which may be sized and shaped to correspond to patch 106 (as shown inFIG. 8C) or sized and shaped differently than patch 106 (as shown inFIGS. 8E and 8F.

Exemplary patches 106 having a magnet 800, such as shown in FIG. 8B, maybe removably affixed to an exemplary jersey 102 by way of magnetism to acorresponding plate. As shown in FIG. 8J, corresponding metal plate 808may be sized and shaped similar to a corresponding patch 106, or asshown in FIGS. 8K and 8L, corresponding metal plate may be sized andshaped differently than patch 106. Corresponding metal plate 808 may, inat least one embodiment, be at least partially covered by a cover 804 asshown in FIG. 8L, which may comprise, for example, fabric. In at leastone embodiment, corresponding metal plate 808 is coupled directly tojersey 102 or positioned on the inside of jersey 102.

In addition to the foregoing, and in at least one embodiment,corresponding magnet 802 or corresponding metal plate 808 may be eitherpositioned within a pouch on jersey 102, sewn into jersey 102, orotherwise removably or securedly affixed to jersey 102. As shown in FIG.8M, for example, jersey 102 comprises one or more pouches 810 sized andshaped to receive corresponding magnet(s) 802 and/or corresponding metalplate(s) 808. Pouch 810, in at least one embodiment, is positioned onthe inside of jersey 102, but in various embodiments of systems 100 ofthe present disclosure, pouch 810 may be positioned on the outside ofjersey 102, similar to pocket 206. In at least one embodiment, pouch 810and pocket 206 refer to the same pocket/pouch.

An additional exemplary embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 isshown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, athletic apparel system 100comprises jersey 102 and an exemplary embodiment of a patch 106 as shownin, for example, FIG. 8A. Patch 106, in such an embodiment, is removablycoupled to jersey 102 by way of a corresponding magnet 802 positionedwithin jersey 102 or coupled to jersey 102. As referenced above, anynumber of patches 106 sized and shaped as numbers, letters, and/orlogos, for example, may be positioned about jersey 102 at any number oflocations about jersey 102, including the front, back, and/or sleeves ofjersey 102, of which the front or back of jerseys 102 may be referred toherein as the corresponding “sides” of jerseys 102.

In at least one additional embodiment, such as shown in FIGS. 10A and10B, portions of an exemplary system 100 may utilize a metallic thread1000 in/on jersey 102 and/or patch 106. In an exemplary embodimentwhereby metallic thread 1000 is used in/on jersey 102, patch 106 wouldcomprise a magnet 800, and in an exemplary embodiment whereby metallicthread 1000 is used in/on patch 106, jersey 102 would have acorresponding magnet 802 positioned therein or coupled thereto.

Such athletic apparel systems 100 may be, for example, provided or soldas kits. Such a kit may, for example, comprise jersey 102 and one ormore patches 106. Conversely, jersey 102, suitable for removablyreceiving one or more patches 106, may be provided or sold separatelyfrom patches 106. For example, a customer may purchase jersey 102without patches 106, and may purchase patches 106 corresponding to, forexample, various athletes and/or teams of interest to that particularcustomer. Patches 106 positioned upon panels 104 (and/or upon jersey 102directly) may be geared toward multiple players and/or teams to, forexample, represent a player or team “rivalry,” whether professional,collegiate, high school, or any other type of sport.

Advantages to various athletic apparel systems 100 of the presentdisclosure may include the following. A customer/“fan” can purchase, forexample, one jersey 102, and not be limited to a particular player'sname, number, team, etc., as patches 106 of the present disclosure areinterchangeable and not permanently affixed to panels 104 and/or jersey102. If a player retires or is traded, for example, a customer canswitch out patches 106 for another player if desired. Said patches 106may also be personalized to a particular customer by, for example,including indicia 108 of the customer's name or nickname about patch(es)106. This not only provides a customer with virtually unlimitedflexibility, but also may save the customer money by not needing topurchase multiple player jerseys. Such flexibility may include, forexample, the ability to “make” a jersey 102 with player patches 106 andindicia 108 otherwise unavailable in the marketplace (for example,lesser known athletes and/or retired athletes to make “throwback”jerseys).

In at least one embodiment of an athletic apparel system 100 of thepresent disclosure, jersey 102 and patches 106 comprise the same orsimilar material, and may comprise the same or similar color(s). Forexample, jersey 102 may be a navy blue football jersey comprising a meshfabric typically used with football jerseys, and patch 106 may comprisea navy blue patch with white indicia 108 of the same or similar fabric.In addition, jerseys 102 of the present disclosure may also comprise anynumber of other features commonly used with jerseys, including, but notlimited to, buttons and tags.

As referenced in detail herein, the disclosure of the presentapplication includes various systems 100 comprising an interchangeablejersey 102, whereby names and numbers can be removably affixed thereto.The terms “removably affixed” and “interchangeable” refer to systems 100whereby a user can easily change patches 106 without the need to sew thepatches to the jersey all around and without the need for special fabricadhesives that allow patches to be affixed to clothing using an iron tomelt the adhesive, as the requirement to sew around a perimeter of apatch, or the residue or potential ruining of clothing when attemptingto remove an adhered patch, would not be within the scope of “easily”changing a patch 106. As disclosed herein, magnets 800 and correspondingmagnets 802 may be used alone and/or with metal plates 806 and/orcorresponding metal plates 808 so that patches 106 affix to jerseys 102via magnetism. Various names affixed to a magnetic name plate andvarious magnetized numbers will be able to be removed from the garmentand be replaced with other names and/or numbers. One method of securingthe removable names and numbers will be using magnets embedded in oraffixed to a name plate or number, which attracts to a magnet or otherferromagnetic material in a pocket on the back of the number and thename plate, for example. The magnets may be aligned with other magneticor ferromagnetic material under the jersey and the magnets can be easilyremoved as they are interchangeable. Such a concept will allow sportsfans at any level to purchase multiple names and numbers for a teamwithout having to buy a new jersey, including any sport where a jerseyis worn, such as collegiate and professional sports.

While various embodiments of athletic apparel systems have beendescribed in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merelyoffered by way of non-limiting examples of the disclosure describedherein. It will therefore be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Indeed, this disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thescope of the disclosure.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the disclosure mayhave presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence ofsteps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not relyon the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or processshould not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described.Other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particularorder of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed aslimitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directedto a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance oftheir steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and stillremain within the scope of the present disclosure.

1. An athletic apparel system, comprising: a jersey comprising a firstsecuring portion; and at least one removable patch, the at least oneremovable patch configured to be removably coupled to the first securingportion of the jersey.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the jerseycomprises a sports jersey selected from the group consisting of afootball jersey, a baseball jersey, a basketball jersey, a soccerjersey, a hockey jersey, and a rugby jersey.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one removable patch is sized and shaped consistentwith an indicia selected from the group consisting of a single number,multiple numbers, a single letter, multiple letters, and a logo.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises amagnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises acorresponding magnet to magnetically engage the at least one removablepatch.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the corresponding magnet iseither positioned within the jersey or coupled to the jersey.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable patch comprises amagnet, and wherein the first securing portion of the jersey comprises acorresponding metal plate to magnetically engage the at least oneremovable patch.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the jersey furthercomprises a pouch coupled thereto, said pouch sized and shaped toreceive the corresponding metal plate.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe at least one removable patch comprises a metal plate, and whereinthe first securing portion of the jersey comprises a correspondingmagnet to magnetically engage the at least one removable patch.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a firstfabric hook and loop fastener, wherein the at least one removable patchcomprises a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein when theat least one removable patch is positioned upon the first securingportion so that the first fabric hook and loop fastener engages thesecond fabric hook and loop fastener, the at least one removable patchis removably coupled to the jersey.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first securing portion comprises a transparent pocket, and whereinthe at least one removable patch is sized and shaped to fit within thetransparent pocket.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstsecuring portion comprises a first groove, and wherein the at least oneremovable patch is sized and shaped to fit within said groove.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprises a metalthread, and wherein the at least one removable patch comprises a magnet.13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first securing portion comprisesa panel, and wherein the panel has a configuration selected from thegroup consisting of one or more of a first fabric hook and loopfastener, a transparent pocket, a translucent pocket, a groove, amagnet, a metal plate, and a metal thread.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one patch has a first indicia thereon.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the first indicia is selected from the groupconsisting of a team name, a team logo, a player name, a player number,a sponsor name, and a sponsor logo.
 16. The system of claim 1, whereinthe jersey further comprises a second securing portion, and wherein theat least one removable patch comprises a first patch with a player nameindicia and a second patch with a player number indicia.
 17. The systemof claim 1, wherein the jersey further comprises a second securingportion, wherein the first securing portion is located at a first sideof the jersey, and wherein the second securing portion is located at asecond side of the jersey.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the jerseyfurther comprises a second securing portion, wherein the at least oneremovable patch comprises a first patch with a player name indicia and asecond patch with a player number indicia, wherein the first securingportion and the second securing portion each comprise a first fabrichook and loop fastener, wherein the first patch and the second patcheach comprise a second fabric hook and loop fastener, and wherein whenthe first patch is positioned upon the first securing portion so thatthe second fabric hook and loop fastener of the first patch engages thefirst fabric hook and loop fastener of the first securing portion andwhen the second fabric hook and loop fastener of the second patch ispositioned upon the second securing portion so that the second fabrichook and loop fastener of the second patch engages the first fabric hookand loop fastener of the second securing portion, the first patch andthe second patch are removably coupled to the jersey.
 19. An athleticapparel system, comprising: a sports jersey comprising a first securingportion and a second securing portion; a first removable patchconfigured to be removably coupled to the first securing portion of thejersey, the first removable patch having a number indicia thereon; and asecond removable patch configured to be removably coupled to the secondsecuring portion of the jersey, the second removable patch having a nameindicia thereon; wherein the first removable patch and the secondremovable patch each comprise patch magnets, wherein said patch magnetsare attracted to a metal plate or a jersey magnet positioned within oraffixed to the jersey, whereby engagement of the first removable patchand the second removable patch to the jersey at or near the metal plateor the jersey magnet causes the first removable patch and the secondremovable patch to be removably coupled to the jersey.
 20. An athleticapparel system, comprising: a jersey comprising a first panel and asecond panel, the first and second panels each comprising a firstsecuring portion, each of the first and second panels configured toallow a patch to be removably coupled thereto; and a first removablepatch and a second removable patch, the first removable patch sized andshaped to correspond with the first panel and the second removable patchsized and shaped to correspond to the second panel, the first removablepatch and the second removable patch each comprising a magnetcorresponding to a device positioned within or upon the jersey andcapable of magnetically attracting to the magnet, the device selectedfrom the group consisting of a metal plate and a jersey magnet.